MY ACCOUNT
Xavi is expecting Barcelona’s LaLiga title battle with Real Madrid to go down to the wire, despite his side opening up a five-point lead at the summit.
Barca, who last lifted the title in the 2018-19 campaign, have won 16 of their opening 19 league matches to reach the 50-point mark already.
It is only the sixth time Barca have hit that half-century milestone at this stage of a campaign, and they went on to lift the title in four of those previous five campaigns.
Reigning Spanish and European champions Madrid have struggled for consistency either side of the World Cup break, winning only half of their past eight league matches.
However, with the sides also paired together in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, Xavi insists Carlo Ancelotti’s men can never be written off.
“I don’t feel like the favourites, but rather just a candidate who can win the league,” Xavi said at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Sevilla.
“Winning the league is one of our goals. We’re competing against the current LaLiga and Champions League winners and it’s hard for us to fight for titles against a strong side.
“I still consider Madrid a strong side and we will have to fight for the league right until the last or penultimate matchday.”
Barca have won nine of their past 10 league games, including all four this calendar year, and are unbeaten in their past 14 LaLiga meetings with 13th-place Sevilla.
Jorge Sampaoli’s side have won back-to-back matches without conceding to ease their relegation worries, and Xavi says his side will treat Sevilla as they do any other opponent.
“Every game brings pressure. Every time we go out on the pitch we’re told it’s a key game; always it’s the same thing,” he said.
“I’ve also heard that how we perform in the Europa League will determine the success of our season.
“We’re a club that is exposed to pressure and that’s welcome. It is better to be fighting for these titles than to be relegated.
“Up next is a difficult opponent, despite where they are in the table. Sampaoli has brought back their strong and competitive side, making them strong defensively.
“We know they are a team that can complicate things for us, a team with a lot of experience. Tomorrow is another test and we have to pass it with all three points.”
The seven goals conceded after 19 LaLiga games is Barca’s lowest-ever tally and the second lowest of any team at this stage after Deportivo La Coruna in the 1993-94 season.
Xavi added: “The state of the team right now is sensational. The players are working hard and getting results. In general we’re in a good moment, especially in defence.
“We’re playing much better football now and are understanding certain situations better. We are on the right track, but we’re also still under construction in this long process.”
